MPV Everest  did arrive in Hobart, Tasmania,  to commence work for the Australian Antarctic Program, resupplying Australian stations and changing over personnel this summer.

The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) has chartered the vessel to undertake two voyages to Casey (WAP AUS-Ø2), Davis (WAP AUS-Ø3) and Mawson (WAP AUS-Ø4) research stations in Antarctica.

The first voyage has departed for Casey research station on 9 January after cargo and equipment has been loaded for resupply, and expeditioners board the vessel.

Built in 2017, the 140-metre long MPV Everest is an ice-strengthened ship with the ability to break sea ice up to one meter thick, and an international crew experienced in polar conditions.

Maritime Construction Services (MCS) has announced, that it has been awarded a contract by The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) for Supply Services in the Antarctic region. With the ICE Class 1A Super characteristics of the MPV Everest, this is the best equipped vessel worldwide to provide these services in Antarctica.

No Ham operation have been performed from onboard

Here a few  recent information about ham Radio from Antarctica. Good hunting!

Wolf’s Fang Runway (WAP MNB-12)

Oleg ZS1ANF is on his way to Wolf´s Fang Runway MNB-12 on the Antarctic inland ice and possibly will be active as ZS7ANT in this Antarctic summer season at beginning of Febr.. Probably he will be operating from Whichaway Camp WAP MNB-11 too.

See http://www.qrz.com/db/zs1anf

Neumayer 3 Base (WAP (DEU-Ø8)

The German research icebreaker Polarstern DP0POL/mm did arrive at the shelf ice coast north of the Neumayer 3 base at Jan.18, 2021. Soon we can expect the hear DP0GVN and DP1POL from that location.

QSL for DP0POL/mm and DP0GVN via DL5EBE, QSL for DP1POL via DL1ZBO.

See http://www.qrz.com/db/dp0gvn   and  http://www.qrz.com/db/dp1pol

Halley 6(a) Base (WAP GBR-4Ø)

Seba, VP8/SQ1SGB is currently working as an electronician at Halley 6(a) Base on the Brunt Ice Shelf.  He will try to operate mostly on 40m between 23,00 and 00,00 UTC in SSB or FT8. Check 7180-7195 SSB, 7073-7075 FT8. He will stay there until Feb.4, 2021 only. QSL via EB7DX.  VP8DOI is busy on the field and it’s hard for him to be on air.

See also http://www.qrz.com/db/vp8/sq1sgb

Belgrano II Base  (WAP ARG-Ø6)

The Belgrano II Base in Antarctica (LU1ZG and LU3HRS/Z) is still active in this antarctic summer season 2020/2021. The are QRV mainly on 20m FT8-FT4-JT65 when time permits. IOTA reference is AN-011 (Ross Island). QSL via LU4DXU or LU4AA or LOTW. QSL from LU4AA will be delivered only twice a year

Keep an eye on W.A.P Worldwide Antarctica Program http://www.waponline.it  for any further info.

See http://www.qrz.com/db/lu1zg

8J1RL Syowa base (WAP JAP-Ø3)

“JARE61”. Till february, Takumi Kondo (JG3PLH) and Taka (JA1AGS) are active on CW and FT8. From Feb.  2021 till Jan 2022, Hiro (JH7JCX) will be the only operator up there.
Info: https://www.qrz.com/db/8J1RL

Polar Ship /MM

Several Polar ship are actually sailing the Antarctic even if no Ham radio operation have been planned from onboard.  M/V  Vasiliy Golovnin (VU ship) has reached  Cape Town. After completing the cargo loads she well head to Antarctica

New DX North & South Pole Award

UA6GG did issue a completely new polar award: the North & South Pole Trophy.
See: http://www.dxtrophy.com/arctica

More awards: https://www.dxtrophy.com/plaque

Further Enquiries: mydxtrophy@gmail.com

 

Last moment news: Strong earthquake strikes near Antarctica, causes small tsunami

A strong 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck the Southern Ocean near Antarctica on Saturday, prompting a tsunami alert for areas which are virtually uninhabited, officials say. Small tsunami waves were reported but serious damage or injuries are not expected.

The earthquake happened at 8:37 p.m. Chilean time on Saturday and struck about 55 kilometers (34 miles) south of Elephant, a mountainous and ice-covered island in the outer reaches of the South Shetland Islands.

The nearby Chilean base Eduardo Frei (WAP CHL-Ø5), has been put on evacuation alert due to tsunami risk.

Thanks and credit: https://bnonews.com/index.php/2021/01/powerful-earthquake-hits-off-antarctica/  

The QSL of Y83ANT, (sept. 13,1983) shows the GDR station “near Novolazarevskaya” at 71°S, 12°E. There is no mention of a name of this Base on the QSL, just a generic “GDR station near Novolazarevskaya.

A question arose: If Georg Forster Station was located at 70°46’S-11°51’E, is this old one, the same Base?

We have to thanks 2 Antarctic veterans, several time operating from this Antarctic site, who did help WAP to write a true  story of this East Germany (GDR) laboratory, established near the Russian Novolararevskaya Sation: Ing. Andreas Mueller DL3LRM, and Dr. Volker Strecke DL8JDX.

Andreas said:

«Historically, the team from East Germany has been a part of the Russian Novo Station since the late 1970s, but had their own base about a kilometer away from the main building. In 1987, this base (a set of containers and an antenna areal) was named “George Forster” in order to become the first official research station of East Germany, as part of their efforts to be part of the Antarctic Treaty (which demands that a Country has to run a permanent all year base in Antarctica). So this is the reason why the QSL only states “near Novolazarevskaya”, since in 1983, as “George Forster” was not established yet. Had the privilege to visit that site and the plague twice, and also to met some of its residences».

Volker, another old time Antarctic veteran and operator of Georg Forster Station (WAP DDR-Ø1) sent us a complete explanation that clarifies the entire story on the GDR activity in Antarctica.
Volker wrote:

«The former East Germany (German Democratic Republic GDR) acceded to the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS), see http://www.ats.aq  on November 19, 1974, initially as non-consultative member. The GDR built this “Container station” in 1976 in the Schirmacher Oasis near the Russian Station Novolazarevskaya (WAP RUS-Ø9). It was called GDR Base Laboratory near Novoalazarevskaya. The only one HAM Radio activity from that Base Laboratory,  between 1976 and 1987 was Y83ANT in 1983.
Picture aside, shows an old view,  shortly after the completion of the GDR Base Laboratory near Novolazarevskaya in 1976 (Photo: Hartwig Gernandt, AWI Bremerhaven).

The GDR research activities included scientific works on  ionospherics, magnetics, geology, chemistry and biology, were supported by the Russian colleagues from Novolazarevskaya and by the Indian colleagues from Dakshin Gangotri (WAP IND-Ø1) and Maitri (WAP IND-Ø3).

After ratification of the Treaty, the GDR received ATS consultative status on October 5, 1987. This was associated with an own research station in Antarctica. So the existing base laboratory was officially named GDR Antarctic Research Station Georg Forster (WAP DDR-Ø1) at Oct. 25, 1987.

In the summer season 1987-1988 at Georg Forster,  a completely new radio station was built. Georg Forster did get the marine Call Y3ZA and the land-based Call Y3G. The radio system was a very powerful and reliable: KSS-1300 with 1 KW, able to operate in CW, SSB and SITOR Telex, several EKD-500 receivers, an extremely good working 2x85m V-Beam, a corner reflector antenna, a diversity antenna, a vertical antenna and several wire antennas».

HAM Radio activities from Georg Forster were:

1988-1989  Y88POL   (op: DL8JDX)

1989-1991  Y90ANT  (op: DK1BT)

1990-1992  Y88POL   (op: DL8JDX)

The Georg Forster Base had 5 overwintering teams:

1. Antarctic Expedition (AE) 1987-1989 with 8 members (including Volker, DL8JDX, as electronic engineer)
2. AE 1988-1990 with 8 members
3. AE 1989-1991 with 8 members
4. AE 1990-1992 with 4 members (including Volker, DL8JDX, as electronic engineer, Radio officer and Post officer)
5. AE 1991-1993 with 1 member

After the German reunification at Oct. 3, 1990 it was decided later that the further German Antarctic research activities would have been focused at Neumayer II Base and its surroundings. So in the years 1994, 1995 and 1996 the entire Georg Forster Station had been dismantled and disposed of.

A commemorative plaque was left at this place. The former Georg Forster base was included into the ATS  list of historic sites in Antarctica with No. 87.

List of all Antarctic historic sites: https://documents.ats.aq/recatt/att596_e.pdf

Volker concludes his report saying: «Andreas, DL3LRM is completely right with his comments based on his experience. As he was op. at DPØGVN in Neumaye III and operator at DP0POL/MM on the icebreaker Polarstern, He is the real expert and one of the few persons who were in the Antarctic and in the Arctic in the same year (2020)».

Thanks to Volker, DL8JDX, (WAP Ambassador) and operator in several Antarctic Overwintering Expeditions:

1988-1989  Y88POL  Georg Forster

1990-1992  Y88POL  Georg Forster

1992-1994  DPØGVN  Neumayer II

And thanks to Andreas DL3LRM another great operator for years in Antarctica

Photo 1 aside: Georg Forster base in March 1991  (Photo: Volker Strecke, DL8JDX)

Photo 2 below : Georg Forster Historic Site Plaque in December 2018 (Photo: Andreas Mueller, DL3LRM)

Photo 3 here at the right: Georg Forster First Day cover with special stamp for the opening of the postal office at May 1, 1988  (Volker Strecke)

Documents say: The site of the former Georg Forster  station is marked by a bronze plaque. It has been designated a Historic Site or Monument (HSM 87), following a proposal by Germany to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting.

At the light of this new evidences, a new WAP reference number WAP DDR-Ø2 has been issued to:
GDR Base Laboratory near Novolazarevskaya,  

71° South, 12° East

Location: Schirmacher Oasis

Callsign Y83ANT

Year of activity 1983

 

WAP DDR-Ø1 (from Oct 5, 1987, till Oct. 5, 1990) remains issued for Y88POL and Y90ANT.

The applicants who have submitted Y83ANT as DDR-Ø1, will be automatically credited DDR-Ø2  to it, and they eventually have to submit one of the two calls Y88POL or Y90ANT for DDR-Ø1.

Once again, thanks to DL8JDX and DL3LRM for their evaluable help and support.

The British established Base W on Detaille Island in 1956, intending to use it to launch dog-sledding expeditions across the ice to the Antarctic Peninsula, and conduct geologic and meteorologic research.

Antarctic explorers unearthed a “spooky” abandoned British Refuge Base on the icy continent after its last occupants are said to have fled more than 50 years ago.
Speaking during his Amazon Prime documentary “Terra Antarctica” Award-winning filmmaker and author Jon Bowermaster,  did  reveal a  forgotten building on Detaille Island.: «I went ashore to have a look at an old British refuge hut, this one is known simply as Camp W, untouched since its last occupants ran out more than 50 years before»,  he said.

Jon Bowermaster  talks about an old British supply depot on Detaille Island (WAP GBR-26), that hasn’t been occupied for more than half-a-century.

VP8CC was active on HF from Base W long ago (1958-59) and nobody else put this rare spot on the air since then. Thanks the great efforts by Mehdi F5PFP,  who did activate this “spooky” site 10 years ago (6 march 2011) today we are aware to have made a contact with something very, very rare.

The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is the national operation running in the frozen desert and is part of the Natural Environmental Research Council. With over 400 staff, BAS takes an active role in Antarctic affairs, operating five research stations, two ships and five aircraft in both polar regions, as well as addressing key global and regional issues. This involves joint research projects with over 40 UK universities and more than 120 national and international collaborations since a small expedition established a permanently occupied base on the continent during World War 2.

Read more at: 
https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1352301/antarctica-abandoned-british-base-detaille-island-camp-w-world-war-2-research-station-spt

and also at:

https://www.bas.ac.uk/about/about-bas/history/british-research-stations-and-refuges/detaille-island-w/

At the end of last november  a  nontraditional ceremony was held at the Lyttelton Port in Christchurch, New Zealand, to welcome the docking of Chinese research Icebreaker Xuelong 2, or (Snow Dragon 2),  which carries members of the 37th Chinese Antarctic scientific expedition, arrived in Christchurch after a 17-day voyage.

At the “contactless” welcome ceremony, a drone of the University of Canterbury (UC) delivered a Christchurch gift – a Maori element souvenir – to the deck of the ship, where about 100 crew of Xuelong 2 waved hands or small Chinese national flags to local officials standing on shore.

Click the red button for a short video
Since it departed on Nov. 10 from Shanghai,  I/B Xuelong 2 has sailed about 5,112 nautical miles. The ship is actually moored  the China’s Zhongshan Station (WAP CHN-Ø2)in Antarctica.
More info link:  http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2020-11/28/content_76958334.htm

WAP-WACA & WAP-WADA Awards Directories are  online, ready to download.

Release 036 of the IK6CAC program to manage WAP Awards is also available to download .

WAP Antarctic Bulletin nr. 288 issued Jan. 11-2021  is also on WAP website  as well as for those interested in Antarctic & Sub-Antarctic Lighthouses, the Directory is now online.

Check from the home page of WAP website, select the window of what you wish to see and that’s it, or simply click on the item you wish to open, directly from this page and go!

Enjoy Antarctica … we are always on!

73 from IK1QFM Betty, IK1GPG Max, I1HYW Gianni

40 ISEA (Indian  Scientific Expedition to Antarctica)  sailed off from Mormugao Port with 43 Indian members on board.

Vessel, M/V Vasiliy Golovnin  is scheduled to travel about 25,000 km through Arabian Sea, Indian and Southern Oceans until mid of April 2021.

Thanks and credit to: Ministry of Earth Sciences Government of India

Pic aside show  the Team of 40th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica in a group photo at Mormugao Port in Goa. Expedition Vessel, M/V Vasiliy Golovnin in the background

Whatch two short Videos at: https://www.facebook.com/100012140287322/videos/pcb.1173631973051468/1173641353050530/ and

https://www.facebook.com/100012140287322/videos/pcb.1173631973051468/1173641389717193/

Too bad there’s no Ham operator on board, nor at Maitri or Bharati Stations this year… it’s a shame

Several traverses (aka Russian Antarctic Convoy) have been made in the recent past time by Russian Teams, especially in the East Antarctic. Often, studies were carried out on the scientific traverse as for example the 1978–1984 Mirny–Komsomolskaya–Ridge B, Denman Glacier and Dome Concordia, or the 1999-2000  Mirny-Vostok traverse with intermediate stops at Pionerskaya (WAP RUS-1Ø), and Konsomolskaya (WAP RUS-Ø5) as well as the so called Vostok I (WAP RUS-14) and more specifically the stopping sites on the way to the North and South of Vostok I Base as  reported on several QSL cards.

So for example: Ham radio did operate from there so for example R1ANB/A at 70° 14’ South-95° 44’ East (3 dec.1999), 71° 55’ Sout-96° 28’ East (11.dec.1999), 75° 12’ South-97°02’ East (14 dec.1999), R1ANC did operate  at 69° 24’ South-95° 11’ East (27 dec.1999), where most of the ground Radio Echo Soundings inspections have been done.

From 25 dec.2002 through 15 jan.2003, on the 48^th Russian Antarctic Expedition (RAE) R1ANC/P did operate at 78°18’ South, 106°32’ East  as well reported by the operator (UA1PAC Alex Kuz’menko) itself:

Austral summer field season of 48 RAE (2002/03)

Ground based radio-echo sounding (RES) were carried out in the area of subglacial Lake Vostok during the last five years by Polar Marine Geological Research Expedition in the framework of Russian Antarctic Expedition (RAE). These investigations goal to collect information about the geomorphology of the lake bottom and surrounding slopes providing some understanding of the geomorphologic features in this area of East Antarctica. During the austral summer season of 48 RAE (2002/03) we collected sub-ice relief and ice sheet information along profiles of radio-echo sounding survey. The ice thickness over the water-table of the subglacial Lake Vostok is app. 4,000 m (13120 ft). The average temperature which’ were observed during the field season was app. -35C (-31F). The RES routs was about 550 km long (342 miles).

The radio-echo sounding team was composed by:

Sergey V. Popov-leader of the group, Yury B. Chemoglazov-radio engineer, Alan V. Kuz’menko-radio engineer, Victor V. Kharitonov-radio engineer, Anton V. Senatorov-geodesist, Anatoly G. Tsyvarev-mechanical engineer and  Vlad A. Pisklov-mechanical engineer.

At the light of this evidence, WAP has issued a new reference WAP RUS-16 to R1ANB/A, R1ANC (operation from  dec 1999 trough Jan 2000) and R1ANC/P (operation from 25 dec.2002 through 15 jan.2003) respectively from Ground based radio-echo sounding (RES) at Subglacial Lake Vostok’s area (coordinates from 69°-77°South, 95°-98° East)

R1ANB/A  and R1ANC did operate outside of the main stations Mirny (WAP RUS-Ø7),  Pionerskaya (WAP RUS-1Ø), Konsomolskaya (WAP RUS-Ø5), Vostok I (WAP RUS-14) and Vostok (WAP RUS-13) from December 1999 through January 2000).

R1ANC/P (operation from 25 dec.2002 through 15 jan.2003)

Some addition about RES:
Since 1995, Polar Marine Geological Research Expedition has performed the geophysical investigations of Lake Vostok, Central East Antarctica. The study of this phenomenon is carried out by means of radio-echo sounding (RES) and reflection seismic. In total, 3250 km of RES profiles and 194 seismic measurements have been made. The motivation for resuming the Russian scientific traverses was the discovery of Lake Vostok in the 1990s. Because the location of Lake Vostok is very close to Vostok Station it opened widespread possibilities.

Ground-based RES and reflection seismic soundings were finished in 2008 with a total of 5190 km of RES profiles and 318 reflection seismic measurements were carried out Besides, allowing for better understanding of the Earth’s crustal structure, passive seismic investigations have also been carried out on the profile across the Lake Vostok near Vostok Station

Read more about RES at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339273179_Fifty-five_years_of_Russian_radio-echo_sounding_investigations_in_Antarctica/fulltext/5e46f5cfa6fdccd965a5ca8c/Fifty-five-years-of-Russian-radio-echo-sounding-investigations-in-Antarctica.pdf?origin=publication_detail

The chartered ice-class vessel M/V Vasiliy Golovnin will make this journey and will reach Antarctica in 30 days.
After leaving behind a team of 40 members, it would return to India in April 2021. On return, it will also bring back the winter team of the preceding trip.

The scientific and logistic activities of the 40^thIndian Antarctic Expedition are limited due to the existing challenges associated with COVID-19 pandemic. The focus is to support the ongoing scientific projects on climate change, geology, ocean observations, electric and magnetic flux measurements, environmental monitoring; resupplying of food, fuel, provisions and spare; and accomplishing the return of the winter crew. India is committed to maintaining the continent of Antarctica free of COVID-19. The expedition will duly follow all protocols for the deployment of men and material as per Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs(COMNAP). Extra precautions of sanitizing the cargo, mandatory fourteen days of quarantine (pre, and post-expedition), and RT-PCR testing before boarding the ice-class vessel is also being conducted.

The Indian Antarctic Expeditions began in 1981. The first trip comprised of a team of 21 scientists and support staff led by Dr. SZ Qasim. After a humble beginning, the Indian Antarctic program has now credited to have built three permanent research base stations in Antarctica named:  Dakshin Gangotri WAP IND-Ø1), Maitri (WAP IND-Ø3), and Bharati (WAP IND-Ø4). Indian Bay Camp (WA IND-Ø2) is the site where normally the vessels are mooring while loading and unloading cargos.

As of today, India has two operational research stations active in Antarctica named Maitri and Bharati. The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa, manages the entire Indian Antarctic Program.

Thanks and credit: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1685978

Ice-class vessel M/V VASILIY GOLOVNIN has been sailing in the Arctic & Antarctic . She’s currently located at WCI – West Coast India at position 15° 24′ 30.96″ N, 73° 48′ 14.868″ E as reported by MarineTraffic Terrestrial Automatic Identification System on 2021-01-05 14:00 UTC

The wind in this area at that time blows from Northwest direction at force 3 Beaufort.

On Tuesday Dec. 22, the German Research Icebreaker Polarstern left the port of Bremerhaven. On board YL Theresa DC1TH and Felix DL5XL. They are now on the way direct down to Antarctica. DPØPOL/MM has already been reported  QRV on 20 mts CW.  

The current position is in off the coast France in the Atlantic Ocean. You can follow the ship in realtime at: https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/shipid:130195/zoom:10

TNX  Volker, DL8JDX

Theresa Thoma (DC1TH) from Fürstenfeldbruck started her Antarctic adventure on December 20th. As a member of the winter team, the 26-year-old radio amateur will work at the German Neumayer III research station (WAP DEU-Ø8) of the Alfred Wegener Institute’s Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), until February 2022.
Read more on: https://www.lifepr.de/pressemitteilung/deutscher-amateur-radio-club-ev/Abenteuer-in-der-Antarktis/boxid/829207?fbclid=IwAR0_IHugVjT0FHjW_6PIxDkSR4473E_GRajrqyB81GBxs1IMTASXS5kAhhc

WAP wish safe journey to the crew and researchers.  Merry Christmas on board!

Antarctica has been hit by the coronavirus pandemic as 36 people have tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday, December 21 at the General Bernardo O’Higgins Riquelme Research Station (WAP CHL-Ø2). The virus has now spread to every continent on the globe!
PCR swab tests given to Chilean researchers at the General Bernardo O’Higgins  Riquelme (pic aside) came back positive.
The Chilean workers appear to have contracted the virus following a cargo supply delivery on November 27.
The cargo, was delivered by the Navy Vessel Sargento Aldea, which returned to the port of Talcahuano three weeks later.
At least 26 army personnel have tested positive for COVID-19 as well as 10 other contractors and at least three crewmembers of the navy ship have also tested positive.
The Chilean army has said all non-essential staff have been transported back to Chile. The infected individuals are said to be in good condition and isolating.
The General Bernardo O’Higgins  Riquelme research  station is one of 70 permanent bases located on the icy continent, 13 of which are Chilean.
Read more at: https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1375481/Antarctica-news-Covid-spread-2020-evg

Despite the current situation, the Czech Antarctic Research Program will continue with field research. An eight-member team has departed  from Prague on Wednesday, December 16th to Chile, where they will quarantine at a hotel, before heading on to Johann Gregor Mendel Station (WAP CZE-NEW) on James Ross Island in Antarctica

The eight-members of Czech scientists begin an expedition to the Antarctic. In early January, the team should arrive at the research station  (Pic aside) off the east coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. The aim is to examine the long-term impact of climate change on the outskirts of Antarctica. 

The expedition will be led by climatologist and polar explorer Kamil Láska from the Department of Geography, at Masaryk University’s Faculty of Science. The operation of the station will be overseen by technicians from Czechoslovak Ocean Shipping, František Vorel and Tomáš Spáčil.

Read more at: https://www.brnodaily.com/2020/12/16/brno/brno-scientists-depart-for-antarctic-research-expedition/

The team will collect data from about 20 weather stations in the vicinity of the base and return with the data and collected samples for further research. The team is expected to return in March. However, on their previous expedition this Spring, their return was delayed by a month due to disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Hamradio world, is looking for some HF operations on the bands  and in this case,  a brand new WAP reference will be issued…. Scientists, do not forget the importance of Ham radio activity which could enter into your technical studies!
More about Johann Gregor Mendel Scientific Station (WAP CZE-NEW) can be found at: http://antarcticfoundation.cz/en/czech-antarctic-station/ 

The vessel, known as ‘Orange Roughy’, completed its last trip among the long list of its scientific expeditions for the Australian Antarctic Division on Dec 12.
RSV Aurora Australis, the only Australian built icebreaker that served the country’s Antarctic program for 30 years has been decommissioned after nearly 150 voyages to Antarctica. The vessel, known as ‘Orange Roughy‘, completed its last trip among the long list of its scientific expeditions for the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) on December 12 as it now prepares to retire at a shipyard in Dubai, to be sold or leased.

The 312-foot orange icebreaker has been replaced by another giant vessel and the scientists are now planning to refurbish the ship, according to Associated Press. Aurora Australis started conducting maiden voyages in September 1989, after its launch from NSW shipyard, north of Sydney and gained popularity after it sailed to Heard Island, an external Australian territory around the year 1990.

Since then, it ferried scientific researchers, transported food supplies and fuel for several expeditions in the Antarctic ocean. 

Read more at:
https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/australia/australian-icebreaker-rsv-aurora-australis-retires-after-150-voyages-to-antarctica.html

Located at 82°00’ South, 155° 00’ West, Siple Coast is the middle portion of the relatively ill-defined coast along the East side of the Ross Ice Shelf. Siple Coast  is the grounding line of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, where the ice meets the ocean and starts to float, becoming the Ross Ice Shelf. It is as far south as the ocean reaches anywhere in the world.

Few days ago, a traverse has left Scott Base (WAP NZL-Ø1), with a  Team of six  for a 1200km journey across the Ross Ice Shelf to the Siple Coast, where they’ll drop stores for scientists who will camp there! Click the button below, to see a short video Drilling for climate, ice and ocean history’s Team will work at Siple Coast field camp (1000 km from Scott Base) where they will use hot water to drill through the Ross Ice Shelf, then sample the ocean below and recover sedimentary cores from the sea floor.

(See location 862AB on the map) This season’s main objective is to develop an understanding of the nature of the sea-floor sediments. Future retrieval of deep sediment cores will help inform multidisciplinary studies of the stability of the Ross Ice Shelf during past warm periods. Drill holes at the Siple Coat will also support the United States Icefin project. Icefin is an under-ice robot designed to explore ice-ocean environments here on Earth and ultimately on Jupiter’s icy moon named Europa.

Source: https://www.antarcticanz.govt.nz/uploads/images/201920-Science-Poster.pdf

Thanks and credit to: GNS Science, Victoria University of Wellington

Station N (1) Bay of Isles

A small expedition consisting of W. N. Bonner and B. Stonehouse, funded by Falkland Islands Dependencies Government and administered by FIDS, did allocate letter ”N”  to the station set  at 54°03’South, 37°23’West, at Ample Bay, Bay of Isles, South Georgia . The initial though, even if that was later considered a private expedition, Station N (1) was set to study Biology and was occupied from 1953 through 1955.

The buildings consist in a main hut and small store hut. Main hut had burnt down by 1974. Debris were removed  in the Antarctic season 2005/06.
(Thanks and credit: https://www.bas.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/British-Antarctic-Stations-Refuges-v6.2-2016.pdf  )

 

Station N (“2”) Anvers Island (WAP GBR-28) & Old Palmer Station (WAP USA-33)

On Anvers Island, the British Antarctic Survey built and operated a Station (Base N “2”) Anvers Island at Arthur Harbour, 64°46’ South, 64°05’ West,  with purpose of  survey and geology. (Pic aside show the Base as it was in 1955)

It was occupied from 28 Feb. 1955 until 10 Jan. 1958. Closed in 1958 when local work completed. Pic aside show Base N, Anvers Island, 1955-56. (Photographer: Alexander Rennie; Archives ref: AD6/19/3/C/N1)

Thanks and credit to: https://www.bas.ac.uk/about/about-bas/history/british-research-stations-and-refuges/anvers-island-n/

The Hut at Station (Base N “2”) was loaned to the U.S. Government on July 2, 1963, which converted it into a biological laboratory and added a new building (the red one on the pic aside) in January 1965 for use by American scientists at the nearby Palmer Station.

Palmer Station  “Old” (WAP USA-33) and “New” (WAP USA-23)

The actual facility (WAP USA-23) at 64°46’27” South, 64°03’10” West is practically the second Palmer Station and it’s located on Anvers Island (pic to the left).

“Old Palmer”  (WAP USA-33) built about 1965, was about half a mile to the northwest adjacent to the site of the British Antarctic Survey “Base N”, built in the mid-fifties. The site is on what is now known as Amsler Island. Rapid recession of the ice due to global warming revealed Amsler Island as a separate island in 2004.

Amsler Island was the original site of the United States Antarctic Program research base Palmer (Old Palmer, WAP USA-33) from 1965 until the current station approximately 0.8 km (0.5 mi) away was constructed in 1968.

WAP USA-33, “Old Palmer” (Pic to the right) served as a base for those building “New Palmer”, which opened in 1968. Old Palmer was designated as an emergency refuge for the new station in case of disaster, though this perceived need disappeared over time. It was dismantled and removed from the Antarctic as part of the National Science Foundation’s environmental cleanup efforts in the early 1990s. According to Mehdi F5PFP, Old Palmer Station at Arthur Harbour  was active on air by KC4AAC 1963 &  KC4USP 1965 .

 

WAP did issue a separate reference to “Old Palmer Station” at Anvers Island/Amsler Island  11 years ago (2009) to recognize the two distinct evolution phases of the history of both Palmer Bases .

Station N (2) was re-open by the British in support of air facility 1969-1971 (pic to the left).

On 28 Dec 1971 the station has been destroyed by fire while being renovated by BAS. Debris was removed by the members of the US Antarctic Program in 1990/91. Only concrete foundations remain.

The Skiway on Marr Ice Piedmont was used 1969-1973 and then intermittently  until 15 Nov 1993, and once in Dec 1999.

Air operations have been transferred to Adelaide (Station T) WAP GBR-13 in 1973 when the skiway found deteriorated.

WAP has received  some fresh info from Lee (DS4MNJ). Lee wrote: «We anchored near the Jangbogo Station. Unfortunately I cannot get away from the Araon ship. We will stay here for 3 weeks. Some scientists has their own project for this area. Everything is going on as scheduled».

Lee sent us some pics which we are happy to share with the readers. After stopping by at Jangbogo Station (WAP KOR-Ø2) Lee is expect to reach King Sejong Base (WAP KOR-Ø1)at beginning of January for a long stay.

TNX Lee DS4MNJ/DT8A

We did ask Lee for any chance  to work /MM from onboard the Korean Icebreaker Araon. We are now waiting an answer.

Icebreaker Research Ship Araon

IMO 9490935, MMSI 441619000, Call Sign DSQL7.

The vessel departed from Lyttelton, Nz on 2020-11-24 13:25 LT and is currently anchoring at Jang Bogo Antarctic Research Station in Terra Nova Bay in Antarctica.

The ice-breaking research vessel Araon was built in 2009 and is sailing under the flag of Korea. She did explore the South and North Pole regions on several missions since 2009 as part of global efforts to examine the cause of global warming and study the Arctic & Antarctic  ecosystem.

The Araon, 7,487-ton , has a carrying capacity of 2901 t DWT and her current draught is reported to be 7.6 meters. Her length overall (LOA) is 111 meters from bow to stern ,her width is 19 meters. Araon  can cut through 1-meter thick ice- The vessel can accommodate around 85 crew and researchers.

Eugene RZ3EC informs WAP that  Alexei RX6A is actually operating /MM form on board of  the Russian scientific research icebreaker  “Akademik Treshnikov” (aka Akademik Tryoshnikov) on the way to Antarctica.

DX Clusters alteady report activities on FT8 & SSB on 10, 12 and 30 mts

Icebreaker AKADEMIK TRYOSHNIKOV (IMO 9548536, MMSI 273359440,  Callsign UBXH3) was reported two days ago by MarinecTraffic Terrestrial Automatic Identification System as sailing in the Atlantic Ocean.

The current position reported of AKADEMIK TRYOSHNIKOV is at 12° 25′ 49.152″ North, 19° 26′ 12.876″ West off the coasts of West Africa. The vessel is en route to the port of Cape Town, sailing at a speed of 14.4 knots and expected to arrive there on Dec 14, 08:00. as on 2020-12-02 06:45 UTC .

Akademik Tryoshnikov sailing under the flag of was built in 2012. It’s carrying capacity is 6634 t DWT and her current draught is reported to be 8.6 meters. Her length overall (LOA) is 133.53 meters and her width is 23.25 meters.

This vessel is equipped by tech laboratories able to process results of oceanographic researches, atmospheric soundings and other scientific experiments on research and development projects, studying natural processes and phenomena in the ocean as well as delivering consignments and rotating the personnel of Antarctic Stations; removing trash and waste from the Antarctic.

For those interested,  Akademik Tryoshnikov can be tracked by: https://www.myshiptracking.com/vessels/akademik-tryoshnikov-mmsi-273359440-imo-9548536 or on  http://www.vesseltracking.net/ship/akademik-tryoshnikov-9548536

“Akademik Treshnikov” (aka Akademik Tryoshnikov) is valid  for WAP WADA & WAP WACA Awards program as well as for Polar Challenge (FT8 contacts are not valid for Polar Challenge)

Oleg UA6GG has just forwarded WAP an information coming from RX6A, Alexey Romov ( ex: 4K1B,4K1C,4K1K,4K1L)

As part of the seasonal work of RAE 66 (66^th Russian Antarctic Expedition) Alexey P. Romov, RX6A will be part of the Russian Team in the Antarctic . Alexey plans to operate  (tentatively) as RX6A/ММ from  07 through 25 December.

From 25 December 2020 through 30 May 2021 (tentatively) Alexey could be active as RIØ1ANT from Progress Station, WAP RUS-11 (pic aside) and Vostok Base (WAP RUS-13) .

Alexey will work preferably CW and FT8 mostly on 7 MHz.

TNX Oleg UA6GG
www.dxtrophy.com

 

Russia is also planning to reopen Russkaya Station (WAP RUS-12)

About $4.6 million to be invested in Russkaya Station in Antarctica by 2021. The Russian Antarctic Expedition has obtained about 300 million rubles for the purpose. The decision to reopen the station was made mostly at the initiative of the space corporation Roscosmos.  Russkaya Station (WAP RUS-12) was set up in the 1970s. Starting from 1980 it operated as a seasonal field base. Budget constraints forced its suspension in 1990.

For a long time the Russian Antarctic Expedition pressed for its reactivation. A group of researchers visited it in 2008 to install distance monitoring equipment.

Source: https://tass.com/economy/1059721

Organizing an Antarctic expedition in the times of COVID19 is quite a challenge, so the German Polar Institute (AWI) had to find a different approach to the logistics for the upcoming Antarctic summer season. All transports will be carried out by ship directly from Germany. There is only a small team of about 20 technicians and scientists travelling to Neumayer III  Station (WAP DEU-Ø8), this year. YL Theresa,  DC1TH and Felix, DL5XL will be part of that group.

During the voyage, from December 20 for about one month, Felix will operate as DPØPOL/MM from the Icebreaker R/V Polarstern, mainly in CW and digital modes.

From mid-January to mid-March 2021, DL5XL expects to be active from the research station “Neumayer III” signing DP1POL. More information about Neumayer Station III,  are available at the station’s official web site

The Ham station in Antarctica is equipped for HF and QO-100 satellite. Club call DPØGVN may also be used at times by other operators.

QSL manager for DPØPOL/MM and DPØGVN is Dominik DL5EBE.

QSL cards for DP1POL will be handled by Ray DL1ZBO (direct, bureau or LotW for all call signs).

WAP wish good luck  to the whole crew on the way to Antarctica, hope to catch you on the air!

TNX Volker DL8JDX

 

About the recent DPØPOL/MM operation from the Arctic, DL5EBE says:
QSLs for QSOs made with DPØPOL/mm icebreaker R/V POLARSTERN during the MOSAIC International Arctic Drift Expedition are printed. Requests received will be answered the same way as they came in.

TNX Dominik DL5EBE

While the French Minister of Research greets the new coming personnel involved in the new Antarctic season at the French-Italian Station, the winter-over did end at Concordia (WAP MNB-Ø3) with the arrival of the first flight from MZS (WAP ITA-Ø1).

Live from Antarctica, connection with the Concordia Base November 27 at 08,30 UTC

The audience will have the opportunity to make a “Live” visit to the Concordia Base in Antarctica, to interact with the logistic and scientific staff of the 2020/2021 summer campaign and get to know the Chief of the 36th Italian Scientific Expedition.

Located on the Antarctic plateau, at 3,233 m of altitude, in the site called “Dome C“ (75 ° 06 ‘South and 123 ° 21’East), Concordia is one of the three permanent stations currently operating in the Continental Antarctica.

It is managed by two countries, Italy and France, through their respective Antarctic National Programs.

During the Live connection, the public will  learn about all the activities that are carried out in such an inhospitable place and understand Italy’s contribution to research in Antarctica.

Moderator: Luca Carra – Journalist

Introduces: Guido Di Donfranceso – Antarctica Technical Unit, ENEA

Speaker:  Rocco Ascione – Chief of 36th Italian Scientific Expedition to Concordia
Register yourself for the event at: https://futuroremoto2020.it/contatti/ (Registration code A227)

More at:  http://www.uta.enea.it/

Volker, DL8JDX wrote: By the way the name Concordia reminds me that in 2018 the Austrian medical doctor Carmen Possnig did participate at an overwintering expedition on the international Antarctic Research Station Concordia Dome-C (operated by France and Italy).

There was an radio interview by the German broadcast station Bayern 1 with her at Oct.29, 2020.
See and hear: https://www.br.de/mediathek/podcast/blaue-couch/carmen-possnig-medizinerin-und-antarktisforscherin/1808511

She also did write a book “Südlich vom Ende der Welt“ (South from the end of the world) about her impressions on the icy continent.

See: https://wwwrandomhouse.de/Buch/Suedlich-vom-Ende-der-Welt/Carmen-Possnig/Ludwig/e574614.rhd

and

https://durchdieantarktischenacht.com/author/underantarcticskies/

TNX Volker, DL8JDX

WAP has been informed about the death  of RU1ZC Valentin Mykitenko  at the age of 70.

It’s a real sad news. Another friend, another Polar veteran, another wonderful radio operator  passing away.

Valentin has been active Ham from the Arctic and Antarctica. He did visit and operate from almost all the Russian stations  and always coming on the air with his solid signal, CW & SSB.

We are feeling sad, when reviewing his QSL always sent regularly. We have lost  a great expeditioner, We’ll miss him very much.

Our deepest condolences to his family and friends

Today, Ham radio community mourn Valentin Mykitenko’s passing, we pray for him. May Lord give Valentin the eternal peace.

Southgate Amateur Radio News reports that, on November 3, 2020, German TV broadcaster WDR aired a news story about radio amateur Theresa DC1TH who is part of the Neumayer-III Base 2021/22 overwintering crew.

She is expected to be on-the-air from Antarctica with the callsign DPØGVN using the QO-100 geostationary satellite amateur radio transponder.
Theresa DC1TH visited AMSAT-DL at the amateur radio facility at the Bochum radio observatory for some brief training in the use of QO-100 before traveling to the Neumayer III Station.

AMSAT-DL provided the QO-100 satellite ground station for DPØGVN nearly a year ago, it has been operated by Roman HB9HCF.

You can watch the WDR news item at
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1036866973482808

Further information on QO-100 can be found at
https://amsat-uk.org/satellites/geo/eshail-2/

Source: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/november/antarctica-radio-ham-on-tv.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AmateurRadioNews+%28Southgate+Amateur+Radio+News%29#.X6bTsdHsbyB

TNX Bob, K4MZU

Also known as Rasmussen Point, this Hut is located at 65°15’South,  64°06’West on Rasmussen Island in the North part of Waddington Bay, Graham Coast in Antarctica.

Building did start 29 Mar 1984, completed early 1985 and occasionally used from Mar 1984 through 6 Feb 1996. Now the Hut is used as emergency refuge and recreational shelter.

Rasmussen Hut is occasionally used by Ukrainian personnel from Vernadsky Station (WAP UKR-Ø1) a Ukrainian Antarctic Station located at Marina Point on Galindez Island of Argentine Islands, not far from Kiev Peninsula. Vernadsky Research Base is situated 8 km west of Rasmussen Island.
WAP does not have evidence of Ham Radio activity from this site which is listed on WAP-WADA Directory as GBR-NEW

McMurdo Station (WAP USA-22), where the ARM Facility’s most advanced cloud and aerosol instrumentation, has a meteorological relationship with the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) via circulation patterns in the Ross and Amundsen seas.

From McMurdo, the second ARM Mobile Facility (AMF2) gathered sophisticated data with cloud radars, high-spectral-resolution lidar, and a complete aerosol suite with relevance to the WAIS Divide Camp (WAP USA-34) as well.

Figure aside. The “skip container” housing the AWARE Extended Facility instruments at the WAIS Divide Ice Camp (WAP USA-34)

Read more at: https://www.arm.gov/publications/programdocs/doe-sc-arm-17-028.pdf 

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Climate Research Facility maintains field sites in the Southern Great Plains, the North Slope of Alaska and the Tropical Western Pacific, plus an aerial facility, to obtain continuous measurements of cloud and radiative properties for improving climate models. In addition to these fixed sites, two mobile facilities provide flexible instrument platforms for conducting atmospheric experiments lasting from 6 to 12 months, anywhere in the world.

The purpose of the AMF Is to collect essential Information about cloudy and clear atmospheres in under-sampled climatically important regions. In some of these regions even the macroscopic deed structure is relatively unknown. The AMF produces data sets for use by the atmospheric community to test and improve parametrizations in global climate models.

Data from the AMF are processed and evaluated for overall quality by scientific staff. Algorithms may be developed to create higher-level data products for specific science needs. Data from the AMF are made available to the community in near real time

Each deployment is the result of a competitive process based upon scientific proposals submitted by learns of scientists. The ARM Climate Research Facility’s Science Board reviews proposals for using the AMF in order to maximize the science return within the budget allotted to the program. All data collected by ARM are freely available from the data archive at: www.archive.arm.gov

Thanks and credit to: The U.S. Department of Energy’s Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM)
“Image courtesy of the U.S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) user facility.”

In a message just received, Lee Sang-hoon says that after 15 days of self-isolation, he will ride I/B Araon tomorrow.

Lee wrote: Fortunately, I got a chance to be back to King Sejong Station.  It is last day for self-quarantine today, I will be on ARAON the Korean Icebreaker.

We will leave here on 31 oct 2020 and drop by Jangbogo station (WAP KOR-Ø2) for a while  and then King Sejong station (WAP KOR-Ø1).
I will be at King Sejong station  around  January 15^th 2021. I’ll keep in touch.

TNX Lee Sang-hon DS4NMJ
Lee, return for the 6^th time in Antarctica … our congrats!  Take care Lee, we’ll be looking for you though!

King Sejong Station,
62° 13’ 22” South, 58° 47’ 18” West,   is located on the coast of Maxwell Bay, surrounded by King George Island and Nelson Island in the South Shetland Islands, parallel to
the Antarctic Peninsula of West Antarctica.

The King Sejong Station (WAP KOR-Ø1) was inaugurated in February 1988 as year-round station. Overwinter party, consisting of around 17 crew members, is on duty for the operation and maintenance of station.

In the Austral summer season, approximately 100 international researchers visit the station to conduct various scientific research activities.

Thanks and credit: https://eng.kopri.re.kr/eng/html/infra/02010101.html where you can get lots more

Become familiar with philatelic terms is not an hard task.  WAP is proposing some of the most common definitions to help the novices, in particular those who enjoy Antarctic philately.

Cachet: A commemorative marking, illustration or description on an envelope which explains the commemorative purpose when it was mailed and is usually applied by a rubber stamp.

In particular, the ones from Antarctica are tracking the story of the scientific expedition in the Icy continent

Cancellation: An authorized mark applied to a stamp to prevent its reuse by defacing it surface

Cover: Philatelic cover is an envelope prepared with a stamp(s) and address and sent through the mail delivery system for the purpose of creating a collectible item. Stamp collectors began to send mail to each other and to themselves early on, and philatelic mail is known from the late 19th century onward. The Antarctic philatelic covers are the most wanted ones among collectors.

Ship Cover: In philately, a “ship cover” is a cover that was mailed aboard a ship, while a “naval cover” is one posted on a Navy vessel. Shipboard postal facilities are ubiquitous on ships of any size, although the “Post Office” may consist only of an alcove and a sailor working it part-time.

Postmark: Any markings on a postal item, such as a cancellation, which records the date and/or origin of its connection with the postal service and its transit through the mail system

Paquebot, what does it means?
Ship covers usually carry a Paquebot postmark and/or a postmark unique to the vessel. Collectors of ship covers will look for different types used at different periods, as well as for covers indicating routing through particular ports, and so forth.

Beginners may have noticed, some cover with a handstamp of “PAQUEBOT” . For those who don’t know what it means, here is a brief explanation: «The word in French, translates literally to “ship”. A letter, a postcard on an envelope  that has that postmark PAQUEBOT handstamped on it, means that it has been posted at sea».

Read more at:https://www.warwickandwarwick.com/news/guides/philatelic-terms

Recently I have received a big folder full of Antarctic envelopes, sent by a well known Antarctic veteran, DL8JDX Volker (ex Y24LN, Y88POL). My collection of Antarctic philatelic matters has increased a lot, but thanks to Volker we’ve been happy to use some of these envelopes to explain a few items.

TNX DL8JDX

Korea’s Antarctic Scientific Base King Se-Jong (WAP KOR-Ø1).  on King George Island,  South Shetlands 62°13′ 26″ South, 58°47′ 27″ West

After almost 3 years  from his previous  stay,  Sang Hoon Lee, DS4NMJ is going to return at KSJ Base, as part of the next Korean scientific Team. Call sign will be again DT8A. Lee,  hopes to be active from late December to the  beginning of  January 2021.  QRV on FT8, CW & SSB, 100w.

QSL via DS5TOS (DIRECT with  SASE + 2-3$ )

Halley VI (a) WAP GBR-40

Seba SQ1SGB will sail to Halley VI(a) Base next December. He hopes to be active for 5 weeks, starting beginning of January 2021.

Callsign SQ1SGB/VP8  if that VP8 will not be allowed due to the new strange rules of the Falklands authorities, Seba will use in alternative SQ1SGB/A or maybe /ANT or /P. WAP did ask him to  check if some others Huts or Refuges have been set nearby  Halley in the last 10 years. Perhaps there could be some  not yet listed into the WAP-WADA Directory. We know that there are 2 potential new entries:

Bob-Pi hut was erected in the hinge zone on 6 November 1962. It was used as a depot and staging post for journeys into Coats Land as well as for recreational purposes.

Coats Station, established in Coats Land, at Lat. 77° 54′ S, Long. 24° 08′ W, 200 miles south of Halley Station on 30 November 1964. It was positioned to allow the triangulation of ionospheric measurements to be taken in conjunction with Halley Station and the Argentine General Belgrano Station. It was manned until 18 March 1965 when it was removed (?)

If ruins may exist,  that will be a place valid for WAP.

TNX Gabry IK1NEG

For a year the German icebreaker  “Polarstern” was on a MOSAiC expedition in the Arctic to study the effects of climate change. In the early morning of October 12th,  R/V Polarstern of the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research is finally back in its home port of Bremerhaven.

This ends the most extensive expedition in the history of North polar research.
Andreas, DL3LRM, did arrive on board for the last leg of the MOSAiC expedition. He  was occasionally active onboard under the callsign DPØPOL/MM. The greatest chance of contact with the international expedition and it was really a great deal of pleasure to work DPØPOL/MM  on CW when operatedHF by from the ship. QSL Via DL5EBE.

TNX DL5XL Felix, DL1AX Harald and DL8JDX Volker

https://www.funkamateur.de/nachrichtendetails/items/MOSAiC-Ende.html

Research vessel Polarstern (IMO 8013132 , MMSI 211202460, Type Ice breaker), was first commissioned in 1982. Since then, the ship has completed almost 270 expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic. Specially designed for working in polar seas, Polarstern is currently one of the most sophisticated polar research and supply vessels in the world.

Read more at: https://www.research-in-germany.org/en/research-landscape/research-organisations/research-infrastructures/research-vessel-polarstern.html

 

The Hut, 68°28’18”South,  78°11’16”East, is temporarily moved to the sea ice near the Plough Island skiway for up to 2 months in summer, then returned back to Ace lake.

This refuge (pic below to the Right) consists of 1 Apple type Hut, and provides accommodation for 2 people. The hut is equipped with food, fuel and cooking facilities and has a list of instructions peculiar to the hut’s fittings and contents. A radio is available at this location. Ace Lake Refuge Hut (WAP AUS-NEW) is located near the north-western extremity of Long Fjord, 0.5 hours by quad from Davis Base (WAP AUS-Ø3). Under normal conditions, no point in the Vestfold Hills is further than 3 hours travel by vehicle from a refuge or the station. The refuge was established in summer 2004/05 to support research projects at Ace Lake.

Tech features: Apple huts,  such as the one at Ace lake, are constructed from eight basic curved wall sections and four floor panels, with an access door and clear windowpanes. The market approach of this product is to offer a ‘rigid tent’ rather than a sophisticated accommodation module. The hut are fitted with a circular ventilation/escape hatch at the apex of the dome.

The fibreglass fabrication is designed to allow erection in the field with minimal logistical requirements for deployment, limited cold-paths for improved thermal performance, including 6mm thick fire retardant polyurethane spray foam insulation.
Apple huts have been used by the AAD since the mid-1980s.

For the above pics of Ace Lake Refuge Hut, thanks and credit to AAD (Australian Antarctic Division)

The Browning Peninsula Refuge (66°28’10” South, 110°33’00” East) is 21 km due south of Casey Station (WAP AUS-Ø2).

The 60 km inland route for all vehicles is hard. Vehicles may become bogged or stuck; deadmen, planks and winches must be carried. Browning Peninsula may be accessible across the sea ice from Robinson’s Ridge during winter, and depends upon prior measurement of the ice thickness.

Browning is the furthest of the huts around Casey Station at about 60 km from station by GPS route. The area around Browning is spectacular with lots of hills, rocks and lakes. The Hut can sleep 6 people.

Browning Refuge is a custom-built sled-mounted hut made from AANBUS panel and accommodates 4 people, equipped with a radio, food, fuel, cooking facilities and comprehensive first aid  kit and has a list of instructions peculiar to its fittings and contents.. The Refuge is used in summer to support field personnel, and for recreation.

Who knows if someday a willing Ham could set in and operate HF from there?

Thanks and credit: AAD (Australian Antarctic Division) and https://eies.ats.aq/Ats.IE/ieGenRpt.aspx?idParty=2&period=1&idYear=2019

Australia’s Aurora Australis is going to be gifted to Argentina to work on their Antarctic program, and will be sailed  to South America by an Australian crew before the end of this year.

In November the ship will be brought from Australia by sailors from that country,  to Ushuaia, where Argentine personnel will embark. Then both teams will sail  to Buenos Aires, where the transfer ceremony will take place.

An article by Adrian Luciani reported on Argenports.com ,   Adrian says that  before the end of the year 2020, quite possibly next November, Argentina will add another icebreaker ship to accompany its  “Admiral Irízar” in the Antarctic campaigns. The Argentine  I/B Irizar,  was launched in 1977, although she was out of service for 10 years for maintenance works after a fire onboard  (2007/2017), she’s actually back in employ.

“Aurora Australis”, is a used unit that was deactivated by Australia and that will be transferred free of charge to the Argentine Navy.

The Australian “Aurora Australis” is a 30 years old vessel that until recently, was in e service of the Australian Antarctic Program and is now being replaced by the “I/B Nuyina”.

Read more at: http://argenports.com/…/argentina-suma-al-rompehielos…

A new earthquake of significant magnitude occurred on Monday afternoon (oct. 5, 2020) in Argentina’s Antarctica, reported the National Institute for Seismic Prevention (INPRES) based in San Juan.

It was reported at 16:01 local time (19:01 GMT) with its epicenter near Base Carlini  5.2 degrees on the Richter scale at a depth of 7 and 11 kilometers. At the moment, there are no reports of damages or people affected.

Scientific Base Carlini (WAP ARG-2Ø) lies 1019 kilometers southeast of Ushuaia TdF (WAP ARG-23)

Source:  https://www.infofueguina.com/tu-ciudad/2020/10/5/sismo-en-la-antartida-de-52-grados-de-magnitud-51156.html?fbclid=IwAR0Ts22NhfJodR9pUhzyqw7c6i0Jdn8bSY4AtA27oVN5Y-xrczFOiYF3HTo

Thanks to Dr. Volker Strecke DL8JDX (ex Y88POL) a well known German Antarctic veteran (pic aside), WAP is now able to retrace the history of two unknown Huts, later joined and became a Refuge.

These two forgotten Huts  and a Refuge will be inserted into WAP-WADA Directory which, day by day becomes more and more accurate.  Even if these Huts and Refuge have been dismantled and removed, it will be great to document their existence.

Lake Podprudnoye Hut, (WAP DDR-NEW) Built in 1987, this Hut  shown on the right, was a living container which was placed at that site as,  at that time it was considered to build a new Georg Forster  Station nearby. Later this plan was cancelled.
The Hut was located at  70°46′ South,  11°37′ East,  close to  Podprudnoye Lake.
(the two Pics to the Right,  show the hut on its positions on Podprudnoye.  The man  near the hut is Volker. Pictures were taken from different angles)

Lake Prilednikovoye Hut, (WAP DDR-NEW)  located at  70°46′ South,  11°36′ East , (see picture below to the Left)  was built in 1985 and remained in operation till 1988. It was located close to Prilednikovoye Lake.

A decision decision to join Lake Podprudnoye Hut with the other hut moved from Lake Prilednikovoye was taken in the Antarctic summer season 1988-1989 .

Old hut from the Lake Prilednikovoye was relocated and combined with the hut existing at the northern coast of the Lake Podprudnoye.  Both Huts together were called “Domik” (hut in Russian language) , they were set at  70°46′ South,  11°37′ East..

Both Lake Prilednikovoye Hut   and Lake Podprudnoye Hut were about 9 km west from the site of Georg Forster Station (WAP DDR-Ø1)

Picture aside shows both huts together.

Lake Podprudnoye Hut (at his second  and last setup) was though formed by both  the huts present in that area:  the one  moved from Lake Prilednikovoye  and  the Hut already  in place at Lake Podprudnoye.

This Refuge did remain on place  from 1988 through 1993 when it was dismantled

A detailed map below,  show the locations of both Lake Podprudnoye and Lake Prilednikovoye

Volker DL8JDX wrote: «These huts  were used as small support base for the scientific activities in the western part of the Schirmacher Oasis. Because this area of the Oasis could be explored only by foot,  it was good to have a shelter to work and sleep apart of the main Station».
Volker said that there were no Hamradio activities from these two huts, just VHF and HF radio traffic to the Georg Forster main station and neighboured bases even if  «I was myself working and sleeping in the “Domik” at lake Podprudnoye between 1988 and 1992 several times».

TNX Volker Strecke, DL8JDX (info@strecke.de)

Radio Club Ushuaia is  very grateful to the Hams  that have operated from September 25 to 30 in a special radio event to celebrate  60 years anniversary of the creation of   “Tierra del Fuego National Park”  together with a  tribute to the people who work every day to conserve and beautify this beloved national park Tierra del Fuego.

Tierra del Fuego National Park (Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego) is a national park on the Argentine part of the island of Tierra del Fuego, within Tierra del Fuego province (WAP ARG-23) in the ecoregion of Patagonic Forest and Altos Andes, a part of the sub antarctic forest. Established on 15 October 1960 and expanded in 1966, it was the first shoreline national park to be established in Argentina.

A special Certificate “60 Years of the foundation of  the Tierra Del Fuego National Park”  is available to Hams that made  the required contacts . To get more info send a mail to lu8xw@lu8xw.com.ar  or visit the page of Radio Club Ushuaia at:

http://www.lu8xw.com.ar/site/323-60-anos-del-parque-nacional-tierra-del-fuego

Oasis Research Station 66°12’28” South, 100°45’00”East,  was built by the Soviet Antarctic Expedition  in 1956 and named Oazis (Оазис). The station has been visited periodically by Polish and other research teams. Official classification of the station is “inactive”. The station is only occasionally visited by tourists.
Picture aside shows the Research Station Oasis photographed in 1958 during the 3rd Soviet Antarctic Expedition of 1957-59.

The station was located in the east of Antarctica on the edge of a dry valley. Photographed in 1958.

As far as we know, nobody has been active for this old epic Russian Station. It will be interesting to know if someone have evidence of Ham radio operation from there, in this case a WAP reference will be given for sure.

The Station has been  handed over to Poland in 1959, who renamed the facility as  A.B. Dobrowolski Polar Station.

Also known as Reclus hut or Portal Point this Refuge was located at 64°30’ South, 61°46’ West , at Portal Point, Reclus Peninsula, Danco Coast, with  survey and geology purposes.

It was occupied from 13 Dec 1956 to 25 Apr 1958.

Party from Danco Island (Station “O” WAP GBR-11) wintered there 1957 to continue local survey work. 4 man party, led by Wally Herbert, completed the first traverse from Hope Bay to Cape Reclus from 9 Oct through 30 Dec 1957.

Pic on the right shows Cape Reclus refuge, 1957-58. (Photographer: Richard Foster; Archives ref: AD6/19/2/O3/2)

Thanks and credit to:  https://www.bas.ac.uk/about/about-bas/history/british-research-stations-and-refuges/cape-reclus-refuge/

Cape Reclus Refuge has been dismantled in Mar 1996 and transported to the Falkland Islands Museum, Stanley, Falkland Islands. (Erected as an exhibit Dec 1998, refurbished Nov 2007, re-built inside the new Museum 2014.)
Only concrete foundations remain at Portal Point. The ruins will anyway considered valid for WAP-WADA & WAP-WACA Award program.

On 14-15 march 2011, during his Antarctica Expedition, VP8DLM operated by Mehdi, F5PFP did activate this rare location to which a WAP reference number has been given as WAP GBR-36.

For 17 years now, without interruption, Hams from Italy and few others coming from neighboring European Countries have joined a Multi Program Meeting  in Northen Italy at the foot of the Alps.

This strange 2020 with lots of problems connected to the Covid 19 did not stopped the enthusiasm of the organizers so that the 19^th DCI Meeting (Italian Castles) among the  11^th  IFFA (Flora and Fauna) and 17^th Worldwide Antarctic Program (WAP) was held  last 18-21 September in the nice frame of  “Hotel Restaurant Commercio” Roccaforte Mondovì, at the foot of the Alps in another historical site in the province of Cuneo.

Perfect organization well managed by the group of ARI-Mondovì (Italian Amateur Radio Association) with several speakers who debated some of the most interesting topics of  DXing and the spasmodic search for the “New One”.
Antarctica and WAP have been carried on by Max IK1GPG and Betty IKQFM who shown the results obtained in terms of rankings and diplomas awarded to Ham radio fans of Antarctica from all over the world.
Since 40 years WAP continue to achieve success, thanks to a large group of  Hams and Chasers, Students and Antarctic followers. This make us very happy and  motivates us to continue despite our commitments and our work. WAP Awards, Antarctic bulletins, Directories, regular information posted on WAP website, are just some of the goals to which we are proud also because everything has been put online for free. Our passion to the Icy Continent  makes us forget the fatigue and we are always comforted by the satisfaction of knowing that there are many of us in the world with the same passion. Thanks to the hundreds radio amateurs  and friends who have collaborated and continue to collaborate with us, providing news and information.

(Pictures above show the authority in front of the 2010’s banner of the Meeting and the intervention by the Mayor of the city.).

Thanks to IK1QFM Betty, IK1GPG Max, KK3Q Floyd  and last but not least I1HYW Gianni

Thanks everyone WW for keeping the Antarctic  passion always alive.
Enjoy Antarctica as much as we do!